Practical Living through Biblical Principles

Category Archives: Weekly Fruitful Living

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Two of Australia’s indigenous animals are kangaroos and emus. The two have something in common and that is they seldom move backward. Kangaroos, because of the shape of their body and the length of their strong tail, they can bounce along with forward movement, but they cannot shift easily into reverse. Emus can run fast on their strong legs, but the joints in their knees seem to make backward movement difficult. Both animals appear on Australia’s coat of arms as a symbol that the nation is to be ever moving forward and making progress.

The apostle Paul called for a similar approach to the life of faith in his letters to the Philippians: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”

Something to think about: While it is wise to learn from the past, we shouldn’t live in the past. We cannot redo or undo the past, but by God’s grace we can press forward and serve God faithfully today and in the future. Remember the life of faith is a journey forward. Amen!

Prayer starter: Father in the name of Jesus I am pressing on the upward way, gaining new heights every day. While I am onward bound, Lord plant my feet…

Help SPREAD His Word Ministries spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Share this post with others and visitwww.spreadhiswordministries.comto see more Fruitful Living Tips

Like this:

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

During the winter season when the snow begins to fall, a transformation takes place. Dark patches of soil turn white. The white cottony fluff of snow comes down steadily and covers trees, roads, grass, houses etc.

The snowfall reminds me of a spiritual truth: Just as the snow covers everything in sight, God’s grace covers our sin. But grace doesn’t just cover sin, grace erases sin.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God appealed to the Israelite’s to come and reason together even though their sins were like scarlet, he said that their sins would be as white as snow. When God made this promise, His children had a painful problem with sin. God compared then to a physical body plagued with “wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil.”

Something to think about: As bad as their sin was, God was willing to extend His grace to them. As His children today, we have the same assurance. Sin may stain our lives, but when we repent and confess it, we have the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of God’s grace.

Prayer starter: Father in the name of Jesus, give me courage to confess, to bare my sinful heart to you. To receive the forgiving love that you long to show me and from my sin to set me free. Lord…

Help SPREAD His Word Ministries spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Share this post with others and visitwww.spreadhiswordministries.comto see more Fruitful Living Tips

Like this:

2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Do you remember running relay races in school? Someone on your team would run around the course and then hand off the baton to you. You had to wait for them to make those final yards before it was your turn to run with it. Then, with all your strength and endurance you ran your part of the race.

Something to think about: God’s word has been given to every one of his children. We have been entered into the race of life. We have no excuse! It’s up to each of us to use all our strength and endurance to complete what God has called us to do. Be set on fire by God’s word. Read it! Know it! Then set your eyes on the finish line of heaven and run! Remember that God is on your side!

Prayer starter: Father in the name of Jesus teach me to search your ways so that I may know you. Thank you that when I draw near to you, you draw near to me with wisdom and discernment…

Help SPREAD His Word Ministries spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Share this post with others and visitwww.spreadhiswordministries.comto see more Fruitful Living Tips

Like this:

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Believers in Jesus can have peace in the midst of uncertainties because we have the assurance that our heavenly Father loves His children and cares for our needs. We can bring all our concerns to Him with an attitude of thankfulness, trusting Him to meet our needs and give us peace.

Something to think about: To say the peace of God surpasses all understanding reveals that we can’t explain it, but we can experience it as He guards our hearts and minds. Our peace comes from the confidence that the Lord is in control. He alone provides the comfort that settles our nerves, fills our minds with hope, and allows us to relax even in the midst of changes and challenges.

Prayer starter: Father in the name of Jesus, you are all wise, all powerful, and all loving, in the midst of uncertainties. Please help me to rest in the certainty of who you are. I thank you that your peace will guard my heart. I place my trust in…

Like this:

by Pastor Brenda Gray
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father.

It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary people that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.

Jesus warns us that we live in dark times. He reminds us that because of Him we are the light of the world and that our good deeds is the power against the darkness for the glory of God.

Something to think about: There is one force that the darkness cannot conquer, the force of loving acts of kindness done in the name of Jesus. It is God’s people who turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, forgive and even love their enemies who oppose them. So today I challenge you to look for the opportunity to perform acts of kindness to bring the light of Christ to others.

Prayer starter: Father in the name of Jesus I am so grateful to you for the loving acts of kindness that you have shown me. I gladly look to share good deeds with others as well…

Like this:

By Pastor Brenda Gray2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

While children grow physically as a natural part of life, there is another kind of growth that happens with some effort-our spiritual growth in Christ likeness. Peter encouraged believers to “grow in the grace and knowledge” of Jesus. He said that maturing in our faith prepares us for Christ’s return.

The Apostle wanted Jesus to come back and find believers living in peace and righteousness. Peter viewed spiritual growth as a defense against teaching that incorrectly interprets God’s Word and leads people astray.

Something to think about: Even when we feel discouraged and disconnected from God, we can remember that He will help us advance in our faith by making us more like His Son. His Word assures us that “He who has begun a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Prayer starter: Father in the name of Jesus, I invite your Holy Spirit to mold me into the person you want me to be. Empower me to keep reaching for the holiness that I see in Jesus…

Like this:

Hebrews 2:18 – Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus sacrificed His time and potential damage of His character and witness while being tempted in the wilderness. In order to relate to others that God has assigned specifically to you to help or to be a blessing to as they struggle through specific situations, sometimes YOU might have to be the sacrifice.

We can only sympathize with people who are facing struggles that we have not ourselves experienced. We can’t relate to them because we don’t know anything about their struggle. However, having experienced it ourselves, allows us to be genuine in helping them and puts us in a better place to make an emotional connection because we’ve walked in their shoes.

Something to think about: Previously experiencing their struggle becomes your testimony because you’ve also witnessed Gods, dominion, power, authority, His glory and His saving grace as you came out victorious on the other side.

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice for me. I know life isn’t always easy and that I will have to make some sacrifices along the way. All I ask is the you make those sacrifices count so that I can intern be a blessing to someone else, understanding that as you use me to bless others, that I too receive blessing from you…